A comprehensive and long-running research program, based on spring phenology data from the historic USA lilac-honeysuckle networks, has furthered understanding of phenological processes through:  1) development/refinement of continental-scale phenological models, capable of processing climate data into a form comparable with satellite sensor-derived and conventional phenological data; and 2) evaluation of the effects of springtime plant development on energy exchange, mass exchange, and measured characteristics of the lower atmosphere.

Results/Conclusions

Results from this work have:  1) provided spring phenological models and a suite of associated measures (derived from daily maximum-minimum air temperature data) that allow a first assessment of the possible impacts of climate change on mid-latitude phenology at all scales; 2) increased understanding of the magnitude and impact of spring plant growth initiation on lower atmospheric  exchanges; and 3) produced phenological development measures over large areas that can be compared to and provide a means to assess satellite sensor-derived phenological product accuracy.  This presentation will provide an overview of these results, and highlight the prospects for future advancements, given the advent of multi-species phenology data available from the USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN, www.usanpn.org).